how often should you water impatiens in pots
A few plants, such as New Guinea impatiens and fuchsia, should be checked twice a day (morning and late afternoon or evening) as they dry out quickly on hot, windy days. Water container-grown plants until water drains from the bottom of the pot. New Guinea impatiens are excellent long-blooming flowers for a sunny spot in your garden. Often consumers will buy a flat or a few containers of impatiens, bring them home, and forget to plant them for a few days. Feed your potted double impatiens at planting time if the potting soil was not premixed with a fertilizer. Impatiens in Containers Impatiens planted in pots require water more frequently, as potting soil in containers dries quickly. Light: Impatiens flowers need shade to full sun (the more sun the better). Impatiens can be planted close together to make nice borders in a flower bed. Instead of a container, you may choose to set your impatiens in hanging baskets. Impatiens planted in close proximity will create much taller plants than those spaced 8″ to 10″ apart. These quick-growing plants rarely need pruning, but you can pinch them back if they start to grow out of bounds. Also, you must avoid exposing the plant to much wind. Make sure you give them nice long drinks, too. Water: The more sun your impatiens flowers get, the more water it will need. Pay attention to the moisture of the plant's potting soil, and make sure that it is consistently moist.Never let impatiens dry out. 2. Tips for Container Gardening When putting planting a container garden, real soil is a no-no. Like their shade-loving cousins the common impatiens, New Guinea impatiens form small clumps and hold their many flowers above their foliage, where they make a colorful display.Planted just after the last threat of a frost, these fast growers will start to bloom early in the season. Provide enough water. Instead, choose a soil-less mix… Impatiens in containers need more frequent watering. Don’t skimp! Keep in mind: if you plant in pots, they will require much more water (almost daily). Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting. If you prefer the original, taller impatiens varieties, buy several six-pack containers of seedlings. When planting in flowerbeds, how you plant will affect the size of your plants. It’s all right to plant them loosely into the pot side by side, so three to four sets should be enough. As for soil pH, impatiens like a 6.0 to 7.5 soil pH. During hot, dry weather, impatiens may require water twice daily. For fuller, shorter New Guinea impatiens, you’ll only need four to five young plants. This spells trouble for impatiens, since they’re already stressed being in containers. Not Planting Right Away. Shortage of moisture will cause the plants to lose their flowers and leaves. So if you want to create a larger focal point, plant just a few inches apart. Purchase impatiens seedlings or larger young plants. If you have impatiens plants in containers, like window boxes, use a sterile or soil-less growing mixture to ensure better drainage for the plants. In this case, more is not better. When watering annuals in containers, continue to apply water until water begins to flow … You can mix in compost or a slow-release fertilizer before transplanting to help the plants. Growing Impatiens in a Container For those with a limited growing area, or other who have a patio they would like to add some color and beauty too, impatiens are an excellent container flower. Like other members of the impatiens family, SunPatiens will not tolerate frost. 1. Check the impatiens daily and water whenever the top of the potting soil feels dry. Sunlight Water the impatiens thoroughly after planting. Water whenever the surface of the soil feels dry and fertilize with a little slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time. Lightly press soil around the bases of the stems. 1. Never allow the potting soil to dry completely. Avoid strong winds. Growing Impatiens – Top Tips To Keep Your Impatiens Blooming Planting In Beds . Check soil moisture daily and water when the top 1 inch begins to dry. You can set a few in a container spaced 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) apart.